CHAPTER 49: Dueling Tournament Finale

The next day brought typical British weather, rain. Harry awoke early to go for his run and some physical training. It had become something of a routine over the sSummer at Spinner's End, but now that he was at school he found that he couldn't keep up the daily workouts so he dropped to four or five mornings every week. Whether this was because of all his homework and other duties or simply because Hogwarts did not have that wonderful regenerative fog Harry didn't know.

After his run Harry showered and got back to the common room in time to see Neville heading down to breakfast. With Ron still in the hospital wing suffering from the after effects of the imperius curse and Harry doing his best not to spend too much time alone with Hermione Neville had become a close friend.

"This should be interesting." Harry said with a sly smile.

"She did say it would be out today, right?"

"Yea. She said that she had gotten in touch with the Daily Prophet as soon as Hermione told her I wanted a meeting and asked them to hold the presses until she got back. That woman definitely has a nose for business I'll give her that." Neville chuckled.

As they entered the Great Hall for breakfast Harry realized that they were two of the first people there. Harry was relieved; he had been hoping to read the article before anyone else. As Harry sat down he became aware of the feeling that he was being watched. Searching the room he quickly became aware of two twinkling blue eyes staring down the long crooked nose of Albus Dumbledore. As the two made eye contact Dumbledore lifted his hand subtly to show the title of that morning's paper.

The Boy-Who-Lived a Boy No Longer

Harry wasn't sure he liked the title, but he couldn't help but be pleased that his interview was given the cover page. All he hoped was that the article would actually have something to do with his interview and not his love life.

Harry's thoughts were interrupted by the ruffling of feathers signaling the arrival of the owl post. Harry immediately picked out Hedwig from the pack, though he couldn't figure out why Hedwig would be bringing him a letter. He hadn't sent her on any trips lately.

As Hedwig swooped down and delivered her letter Harry saw a huge tawny owl out of the corner of his eye. It swooped down and dropped that morning's edition of the Daily Prophet without ever landing. Harry unrolled the paper, absentmindedly stroking Hedwig's white feathers as he began to read.

For most of his life Harry Potter has been chased by the forces of You-Know-Whowrites Rita Skeeter, special correspondent. Now, however, in his sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Boy-Who-Lived has decided to do the hunting.

"I won't sit back and allow Voldemort to gain a foothold like he did 16 years ago. Unfortunately there aren't many people who want to help. The current administration under Madame Bones is much more helpful than Minister Fudge had been, but I'm afraid it will not be enough. You can be sure that Voldemort will have all sorts of dark creatures and foreign wizards rallied behind him when he attacks." He said in an interview last night. Apparently Harry Potter has run into some trouble concerning recruitment, as witnessed by the fact that the French Ministry of Magic has issued a warrant for the boy's arrest. He has also been denied by the creatures surrounding Hogwarts. He was almost killed escaping from the Forbidden Forest multiple times after attempting to forge an allegiance. "The only creatures that seem willing to help are the merpeople, but if an attacking force stays away from the lake then it won't matter much anyway."

And why is it that Harry Potter has been attempting to bolster the defences of Hogwarts? "Voldemort issued a challenge. At the end of the school year he will attack. He wants Hogwarts, he couldn't get it from Dumbledore in the first reign. Voldemort is convinced that the biggest obstacle in his way is Hogwarts." Albus Dumbledore, long thought to be the only one You-Know-Who was afraid of is not the only reason to attack Hogwarts. "Voldemort has sent his minions after me ever since he's returned, they've all failed. I've fought him a few times as well and he has always failed. I've outsmarted him and outdueled him and he wants his revenge. But if he wants me dead he knows that he has to come after me himself."

Potter has indeed become an outstanding young wizard. In his first year at Hogwarts he defeated Quirinius Quirrel, Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts, who had been possessed by You-Know-Who. In his second year he defeated You-Know-Who's Basilisk after finding the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets. In his fourth year he dueled Voldemort himself and escaped to bring the Body of Cedric Diggory back to his parents. In his fifth year he aided in the capture of many high profile Death Eaters and escaped from You-Know-Who once again in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. This year he captured and killed Peter Pettigrew, long thought to have been killed by Sirius Black. He also fought and killed Antonin Dolohov and Christopher Avery who ambushed him in Hogsmeade. Harry Potter is also favored to win the Hogwarts dueling tournament, winner of which will duel Albus Dumbledore himself.

Harry, however, doesn't hold anything against the people that are too afraid to take up arms beside him. "People are afraid of him, he's a powerful wizard but he isn't nearly as scary as everyone makes him out to be. He's not as smart as he thinks he is. Unlike him I won't make people fight for me. I'll simply ask you to fight with me. I wish this war didn't have to happen, but it will happen and I will fight it by myself if it comes to that."

For Transcript of Interview see Page 5.

For Ministry Guide to staying safe see page 3.

For Simple But Effective Defensive Spells see pages 6-7.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief. He could have done without the huge picture on the cover page but the article itself could have been worse, much worse. Rita, however, did the two things Harry asked of her fairly well. She certainly made the Defense of Hogwarts look hopeless, but better yet, this was going to make Voldemort very angry. Harry was just happy that occlumency had helped block out not only Voldemort's visions but the pain he felt in his scar. When Harry had to actually duel Voldemort it wouldn't do to be flinching in pain everytime they got too close.

The part that really caught his eye, however, was the part about the dueling tournament. He had already been told that because of Ginny's death he would be in the finals automatically but he had no idea that the special guest duelist was going to be Dumbledore! Harry tried to keep his mind off of Dumbledore and Ginny, he needed to concentrate on his next match which would most definitely be against Cho Chang. Harry wasn't sure he was comfortable dueling his ex-girlfriend even though their lone date had been a complete fiasco.

"Can I see it, Harry?" Harry whipped his head around to see a nervous looking Hermione standing behind him looking at the article over his shoulder. Harry's quick movement startled Hedwig so much that she hooted indignantly and flew off.

"Here, take a seat." Harry told her, sliding the paper in front of the seat next to him. Harry couldn't wait to see her reaction. Harry watched her closely as she read the article. She smiled at times and at other times she grimaced. When she finished she looked up at Harry and glared.

"You have a death wish don't you?"

"You know the story Hermione, him or me. He has to come after me himself and I don't want him to waste time fighting you guys." Hermione shook her head but let the topic drop.

"And what's all this rubbish about almost getting killed escaping from the forest? Any dumber and you'd be telling Rita that you got a bad bite form a flobberworm." Harry couldn't help but laugh at the reference to Goyle. Even Hermione's attitude lightened somewhat. Harry could almost see a lightbulb go offin her head. "You want Voldemort to think the castle's defenseless! Brilliant, Harry! He'll underestimate us and we'll have him!" Harry nodded.

"Not only that but with any luck he'll decide to send a pretty large attack force through the forest. If he does the elves, Centaurs, acromantula's and Hagrid's little brother will be lying in wait." Hermione gave him an exasperated look.

"When Ron is back to his usual self you have to play him in wizard's chess. Maybe you can deflate his ego."

"How is he?" Hermione studied her breakfast plate before answering.

"Madame Pomfrey says he should be fine. I was worried because even Moody was back after a day or two and he had been imprisoned for the entire term. But she seems to think that because of Ron's youth and inexperience it will take him longer to recover. Not only that but he's probably in shock because what he was forced to do ended up killing a first year."

"And the shock that Percy was the one who did it to him. I know Ron always said Percy was a git but I don't think he ever considered this."

"Does she know when he'll be back?" Neville asked, startling both Harry and Hermione who had completely forgotten that he was there. Hermione shook her head.

"Who's that letter from?" Hermione asked cautiously, seeing the letter that Harry was holding in his lap." Harry picked it up and looked at the handwriting.

"It looks like its from Remus." Harry tore open the letter and began reading to himself.

Harry,

Now that Dumbledore tells me that I don't need to keep searching

Your bloodlines for a connection to Merlin I've decided to do

Something that has been on my mind for a while. Early in Fudge's

Reign I was forced to live in a detention camp with other werewolves.

I met an older wizard there who had been bitten as a young boy.

He had suffered from lycanthropy for nearly 95 years. He told me that

His life work was to try to control his transformation, but all he had

Been able to do was transform on demand, much like an animagus.

But he wasn't able to control himself during that transformation yet either.

He was only able to transform back when the wolf instincts were at its lowest.

I've decided to pay a visit to this man now that Dumbledore has been

Been able to locate him for me. Hopefully he has mastered controlling

himself during the full moon because it would mean a much easier

life for all werewolves. I'll write soon I promise. Stay safe.

-Remus

"Does this mean what I thik it means?" Harry asked quietly, trying not to get his hopes up. Hermione nodded.

"If he is succesfull he could impose his will over the wolf without using wolfbane potion!"Hermione's face fell slightly. "I don't see how any of this is possible though."

"But you wouldn't have thought that forcing yourself to turn into a werewolf without the full moon would be possible either, so you never know." Harry was about to respond but his thoughts were interrupted by the Headmaster.

"May I please have your attention. I have just been informed that due to personal reasons Cho Chang will be unable to compete in the Dueling tournament Finals. This leaves Harry Potter as the winner." There was a smattering of applause but Harry could tell that most of the people in the hall were rather upset that they didn't get to see another show. "As many of you have doubtlessly read today's paper you will now know that the winner of the Hogwarts Dueling tournament is scheuled to face me." Dumbledore's eyes were sparkling as they settled on Harry. "If Harry will accept the challenge the duel will take place tomorrow afternoon on the quidditch pitch." All eyes fell on Harry. He looked around taking in all the eager faces before speaking.

"I'll be there." The crowd erupted in applause.

For the rest of the day Harry walked around feeling like he was school champion in the triwizard cup, the only difference being that this time everybody seemed to think he hadn't simply weasled his way in. The duel was set to take place after dinner the next day on the quidditch pitch so the entire school could have a better vantage point. Harry walked around the school looking as confident as always but he was caught up on one thought, he was going to lose.

He wasn't going to lose because he wasn't good enough, he was plenty good enough to deal with the manipulative old fool. The problem was that he wouldn't be good enough without using his other…hidden abilities. He was facing a dilemma. On the one hand he could use his whole arsenal against Dumbledore and win, giving hope to the rest of the fighters but possibly giving away his secrets to Voldemort. On the other hand, however, he could keep those abilities a secret and increase his chances against Voldemort but cruch the hopes of everyone watching. There was only one answer that he could see. He would have to win without those special attributes.

During Harry's breaks he retreated to the common room where he hid away to practice Aodhan's revenge. He felt he owed it to Breannan to not only learn the style but to perfect it quicker than he had. Harry had thought about explaining to Hermione and Neville the importance of Aodhan's revenge, but he doubted they would see the importance of a technique that can't actually be used in combat. Harry just felt that unless you were actually doing it that you wouldn't understand the mental discipline that it instills. McClaggan spoke about harnessing the power of Aodhan's revenge in combat, but that wasn't really the answer. The technique gave a person the focus and discipline he would need to make each blow or each spell more powerful. He would sound like an idiot saying that out loud though.

The next morning Harry awoke refreshed and eagerly awaiting that evening's duel. He walked down to breakfast after his run and shower, but what he saw made him very nervous. Nearly every head was buried behind a magazine, but when he walked in quite a few people looked up and began whispering. Harry could see girls from fourth year up giving him appraising looks.

"Hermione…" Harry started nervously, sitting down next to her and tying to hide. The bushy haired witch looked up and smiled.

"Seems those pictures you let Rita take of you didn't stay in the Daily Prohet." Harry's face blanched.

"Wha-what do you mean 'didn't stay'?" He whispered harshly. A few Gryffindors sitting around them laughed at Harry's complete inability to use a quiet voice.

"I mean-Here just look for yourself." She told him, shoving a magazine into his hands. Harry took the magazine and glanced at the cover. He groaned. He was holding a copy of the newest Teen Witch Weekly. He flipped back to the article and read.

Most Eligible Bachelors of the Wizarding World

Viktor Krum: Viktor might not be the best looking man in the world, but not only is he a sweetheart but he's a millionaire and a professional Quidditch player!

9) Bill Weasley: You may not recognize this handsome face but you definitely won't forget it. Bill is a Curse Breaker for Gringotts and one of the best looking men around with that fanged earring and long hair.

8)Gilderoy Lockhart: Still a handsome face despite the inability to use his mind. St. Mungo's says he's on his way to recovery though!

"Hermione, what is this?" Harry asked, looking up from a magazine that he ws determined never to look at again. Hermione looked up, exasperated.

"Oh, just read the bottom, Harry!" Harry looked to the bottom of the page, which finished at two. He flipped to the next page and gasped in horror. Staring back at him was a picture of him in pants and a tight white tee-shirt. The picture of himself had a cocky grin that accentuated his eyes and earring.

1)Harry Potter: Harry is not only gorgeous with his unruly black hair, stunning green eyes, ruby earring, and incredible muscles, but he has the entire package. He is thought to be one of the most powerful wizards in Britain and is consistently proving how dangerous he is. He was one of the top seekers in Hogwart's history and could easily go pro. He is estimated to be one of the wealthiest men in all of wizarding Britain. Oh yea, did we mention that he rides a motorcycle?

Harry moved his mouth as if trying to say something but nothing came out. Dean Thomas tried to cast a finite incantatem on him, thinking that someone had used the silencing charm on him. It brought a slight smile to Harry's face, but it wasn't nearly enough to take his mind off the article.

"I'm not dangerous!" Harry told Hermione in a pleading voice. She fought to hide a smile.

"Oh, of course you're not. All they mean is that you get into a lot of trouble with bad people and fight your way out of it." Harry tried to interrupt her but Hermione rushed on. "It's just something a lot of girls like to dream about…a dangerous guy." She blushed after realizing what she said. Harry, however, was too busy staring at the article to notice.

"Why would a girl want someone dangerous?" Hermione giggled which caused Harry to look up. Hermione never giggled.

"It's not so much dangerous as exciting. Us girls don't have a lot of fun, a guy who defends other people by fighting off the wolves is just…" Hermione looked away, searching for a word. Her eyes fell on Luna Lovegood who was sitting at the Ravenclaw table with her normal, dazed expression. "Dreamy." Hermione finished in almost a sarcastic voice. This time Harry couldn't help but laugh.

Unfortunately for Harry Hermione had been right. Everywhere he went he was surrounded by girls basically throwing themselves at him. He did his best to ignore them and just walk faster but there was no ditching them. After every class they were waiting outside for him. Luckily some of the sympathetic teachers would find a job for him to do that wouldn't leave him in the hall between classes. Snape, however, was a different story. Even now that Snape liked, or more precisely respected Harry, he couldn't help but poke fun at his 'fan club'. This time, however, Harry had the distinct impression that Snape felt more sympathetic.

With all the attention Harry almost forgot about his upcoming duel with Dumbledore. He had a rude awakening, however, just before dinner when Zacharias Smith approached him.

"Do you honestly think you can out duel Dumbledore?" Harry laughed, imagining what Ron would say to the annoying fifth year. Much to Smith's chagrin, Harry said nothing. "You can't beat him. He's the most powerful wizard in all of the world." Smith said proudly. Harry couldn't remember ever hearing Zacharias Smith compliment someone.

"He's the second most powerful." Harry said quietly, fiercely, before walking into the great hall to the sound of applause.

The dinner that night was one to rival the start of term feast. Obviously hearing about the night's upcoming duel the house elves went out of their way to make a true spectacle of it. It seemed that everytime Harry finished food more would reappear in its place.

After the meal was finished Harry saw Dumbledore sweep from the room. The old man's eyes settled on him briefly, his eyes twinkling, before he disappeared into the hall. A few minutes later Hagrid made his way over to harry and clapped his hand on his back, nearly sending the boy through the table.

"All righ', 'Arry?" Harry nodded, not quite able to speak after Hagrid's greeting. "Course ye are. Told ya you's make a thumpin' good wizard after ye' trained up a bit. Ye've got Dumbledore righ' worried. 'E wants you out on the quidditch pitch ter talk about sumthin' before too many people get out there." Hagrid gave Harry another beaming smile before marching back to the head table. A few minutes later Harry stood up to a burst of applause and more than a few shouts of encouragement. Still not used to so much attention Harry nearly sprinted from the hall.

Once outside Harry met Dumbledore who had been walking the Quidditch pitch putting up wards to protect the spectators from stray spells. Harry could tell that there was something different about Dumbledore. He didn't seem as youthful as he once did. His strides were no longer fluid, rather short and choppy. Harry noticed that Dumbledore's long fingers did not flick his wand with the same grace it usually did. It suddenly dawned on Harry. The old man was nervous. Knowing this Harry immediately became more confident. He forgot his previous thoughts about not being able to win without using his special abilities.

"Ah, Harry. I see Hagrid gave you my instructions?"

"He said to meet you out here before the rest of the students. He said you had something to discuss with me." Dumbledore nodded.

"I hope we can lay aside whatever differences remain between you and I. As much as I wish to prepare you for your upcoming battle I do not wish to see either of us hurt. I will not, however, go lightly on you and I expect you to extend me the same courtesy."

"I wouldn't dream of taking it easy on you, headmaster." Harry told him rather cheekily. Dumbledore smiled.

"I'm glad to hear it. Despite that I do have one request of you. I understand that your rather cunning plan to rid the school of Voldemort's supporters succeeded but-" Harry cut him off before he could finish.

"You still don't feel it's a good idea to show any of my…other abilities. I had the same thought. Whether or not there are still Junior Death Eaters here at school I don't know. But a public display of my abilities could reach him no matter what." Dumbledore nodded.

"I'm glad you realize that. You have come a long way, you know. I remember watching you as a first year when you showed more promise than most other children your age I had ever seen. Yet even then you did not consider everything. Like a true Gryffindor you charged ahead. I am happy to see that you no longer act that way. If you are to beat Tom you will need to out think him. You must fight him on your terms and you must make him walk into that situation blindly. Allow him to think that he has the upperhand then snatch it from him. If you do this than it is almost guaranteed that you will defeat him."

"Headmaster…" Harry started quietly. "I still have my doubts. Everytime I have escaped him was due to some kind of luck. My first year Quirrel couldn't touch me. My second year I had to deal with his monster, not him. My fourth year I was saved by the priori incantatem. My fifth year I was saved by you-" Dumbledore raised a hand to silence the boy.

"You will never be rid of those doubts, Harry. You must simply hide them. Your doubts are your weakness and he will feed on them if he senses it. Use your strengths and mask your weaknesses. If I may be of some assistance in doing this I will opint something out to you." Harry considered Dumbledore before nodding. "As an eleven year old you discovered what it took to defeat Quirrel, physical contact. As Professor McClaggan always told you, you have an amazing ability to adapt to your situation. In your second year yes, you defeated a beast and did not duel Voldemort. You fail to realize, however, that you defeated a Basilisk with nothing but a sword and no training with it. In your fourth year you say the priori incantatem saved you, but I must ask you this. Why did it allow you, a 14 year old boy, to break free and not Voldemort?" Harry didn't respond. "Because your will and your magical ability pushed those beads back into Voldemort's own wand. You did defeat him then, if the opposite had happened you would be dead now." Harry thought for a while before responding.

"You left out last year." He said simply. Dumbledore chuckled.

"I thought that would be obvious. Tom snuck up on you while you were dueling with Bellatrix Lestrange, a woman who is nearly as dangerous as Riddle himself." Dumbledore paused before continuing. "May I also remind you that you had just faught off numerous other high level Death Eaters while running for your life, protecting your friends, and keeping a prophecy out of their hands?"

"I didn't even have a chance to raise my wand though." Harry argued, though he wasn't entirely sure why he was arguing. Dumbledore laughed again.

"Because the fight was on his terms. You were in no way ready to fight him, it was not yet time. He also snuck up on you. Fight him on your terms and you may have the same effect on him." Harry opened his mouth to respond but whatever he was about to say was drowned out by the noise of hundreds of students marching down from the castle talking excitedly. Harry looked at Dumbledore. "It's almost time. Let me do the talking."

A few minutes later all of the students were in the stands surrounding the Quidditch Pitch. Harry felt somewhat strange to be in front of the entire school on the pitch without any teammates.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the final duel of this years tournament." There was deafening applause as Dumbledore paused. "Wards have been carefully constructed to keep all of you safe while witnessing this duel. I ask you to show the proper respect to myself and Mr. Potter during this little show. If Madame Hooch would be so kind as to begin the duel."

Harry and Dumbledore took up their positions across from each other and bowed. Dumbledore held his wand at the ready but Harry simply stood empty handed with his arms at his sides. Harry could barely see the face of the old man from across the pitch but knew he had a small smile.

"Ready!" Madame Hooch yelled in an amplified voice before giving a shrill blow on her whistle. Dumbledore fired a powerful curse at Harry who simply walked out of the way. He still hadn't drawn his wand. Dumbledore raised his wand again and sent a ball of flame arcing across the pitch to where Harry was standing. Harry watched it disinterestedly but kept one eye on the headmaster. Harry's guess of the headmaster's strategy was correct. The arcing ball of flame was meant as a distraction. The real spell was a soft blue jet that Harry ducked easily eliciting 'ooohs' and 'aaahs' from the crowd.

The crowd watched as Harry dusted himself off and the ball of flame landed just infront of him causing an earthshaking explosion and a light so bright they had to close their eyes. The crowd gasped as Harry was engulfed by the flames. When the dust settled the crowd realized that they had only thought they saw Harry being blown up because the only thing left was a sizable hole in the pitch. Suddenly Harry came running out of the shadows looking like the explosion had thrown him a good twenty feet. Despite his singed hair and robes Harry looked none the worse for wear as he sprinted towards the headmaster firing curses faster than was humanly possible.

Dumbledore saw the first spell coming and easily dodged it before conjuring a shield to deflect the next few. Unfortunately for the headmaster Harry's spells were too many and too powerful for the solitary shield and he was swiftly overrun. When the headmaster stood back up, massaging his right shoulder whch had been hit by a rather low frequency bludgeoning spell it looked as if the duel was starting all over again. Both duelists stood at opposite ends of the pitch just watching each other. After a brief pasuse it was Dumbledore who decided to close the distance. The two duelists were now standing no more than ten feet away from each other hurling spells at each other at rapid fire. From the stands it looked as if there were continuous strands of lights connecting the two. Some of the smarter students grabbed omnioculars and started calling out commentary. The problem was that even with the omnioculars on slow the action was moving much too fast. Suddenly there was a loud commotion as Dumbledore disappeared and in his place was a large, pure white phoenix with twinkling blue eyes. The phoenix dive dombed Harry Harry who fell to his knees just under the bird's claws. Before harry could roll or get back up he heard a pop and felt a wand being pressed against his neck.

"Soumettus!" Dumbledore yelled, panting. Harry's face contorted in concentration. The crowd obviously thought it was over because some of the students began clapping only to be silenced by the older students who saw that Harry had not yet dropped his wand.

"NO!" Harry's voice suddenly rang out clearly throughout the stadium as he fought off the spell's effects. The crowd let out a collective gasp as he rolled forward and Dumbledore's stunner sailed inches above his head. Harry could actually feel the heat from the spell as his somersault brought him back to his feet.

"Obscuritem!" Harry yelled before running to his right. Dumbledore was engulfed in clouds as he wildly fired hexes, some of which came dangerously close to Harry. "STUPEFY!" Harry yelled, only to realize that his own spell was rebounding back at him with astounding speed. Harry dove to his left and stood up again. Dumbledore must have heard it coming! Harry realized. He pointed his wand into the cloud and silently moved his lips. He soundlessly cast the stunning spell into the cloudand heard a body crumple to the floor. Harry was about to step forward when he remembered his duel with Blaise. "Finite Incantatem." The clouds dispersed and revealed Albus Dumbledore on the ground, unconscious. Harry was so amazed that he barely heard Madame Hooch's whistle or the absolute roar from the rrest of the student body.